Get the Job: Insider Tricks to Master Your Interview

Anyone who's job-hunted knows: It's all-consuming. Writing cover letters, getting the résumé together, asking friends for leads—it's worse than actually having a job! Yet we're doing it in droves. "More young women are job-hunting now than ever," says Nicole Williams, a career expert for LinkedIn. "They aren't settling for companies that don't value them or offer room for advancement." In fact, most workers in their twenties and thirties today expect to stick with any given job for less than three years. So how do you find a position you'll love next year, and maybe longer?

Sneaky Interview Tricks
Remember, you're interviewing them too—and you want to know if you'll love it or hate it there! "Keep the first interview all about the position," advises Sallie Krawcheck, owner of the women's networking group 85 Broads. After that, "everything's askable if you phrase it right." Here's how:

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW: "What's the salary?"Ask: "I'd love to understand this role better. How does a typical workday go, what's the compensation like, and how many people would
I be supervising?"Because: "It's perfectly fine to ask about pay, but it's tough to pull off a pointed question," says Krawcheck. "Wrap it in a few other queries, and they'll give you some ballpark figures. Check a few websites [like salary.com] to confirm that their range sounds fair."

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW: "Will I ever get promoted?"Ask: "Where are the people who had this job before me?"Because: "You want to see whether what they did—stay with the company or leave, move up, or reach the top—is part of your plan."

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW: "Is the boss crazy?"Ask: "How can I succeed here?"Because: "You'll be able to tease out the boss's expectations. The response 'We want you to have work-life balance' tells you one thing. But 'We want people who dedicate themselves to the work' means it's more intense. And ask friends who work there about employee turnover. If it's high, that may be a warning sign."

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW: "Do people like it here?"Ask: Nothing! Look around.Because: "You'll get better intel from observing than from asking. Are people chatting and laughing, or is it quiet? Work your network for access to former employees; they'll give you insights. Then it's up to you to decide if it's a match."

Interview Dos and Don'ts

Sandy Gould knows hiring. This head-hunting honcho runs
global talent acquisition and development at Yahoo, and over the course of his career has interviewed more than 50,000 people for positions. High points? One applicant knew Gould was into comics, "so he sent me his résumé tucked inside a Fantastic Four comic!" he recalls. "Another guy sent a note saying he'd double my ad sales revenue and that I should call him,
no matter what time, and he'd convince me he was the best hire. I called at 11:00 P.M., and he backed up his claims. We hired him the next day." Less impressive? Candidates who bring Mensa membership cards (yes, more than one did!). Gould's rule book of tips and tricks you should try:

Do Arrive 15 To 20 Minutes Early
"It shows commitment and planning. But show up more than 30 minutes early and it's weird—I'd think you weren't busy enough."

Don't Forget Your Résumé
"Have multiple copies in a folder, along with work samples: either physical products, or briefs on programs you started."

Do Show Initiative
"Identify a problem the company has and think about how you'd solve it. Research what matters to them—the market, or what the competition's doing; if you're a teacher, that might mean identifying the school district's challenges and dreaming up after-school programs. Don't wait to be asked; bring up your ideas. I'll want to hire you."

Do Frame A Bad Experience Well
If they ask what happened at your last job and you were fired (or it just didn't work out), fess up, says Gould. Say, "It wasn't a match with my skills. It was analytical; I'm more of a people person, and I learned that." Be honest, but emphasize "how you turned it into an advantage."

Do Talk Up Your Accomplishments... But Don't Sound Arrogant
"Tell a story about facts and events, not yourself. Say, 'We were short three people for a job, so I came up with a new way to organize requests for time off. My manager said it was so effective he's used it ever since.' Make it about the great feedback you got."

Don't Ever Say You're Pregnant
"No matter how far along you are, it's irrelevant to the interview. I don't care if you work for three months and then go
on maternity leave; companies are hiring for the future. After you get the offer, then tell me you're pregnant. We'll make a plan together for how we'll cover while you're gone."

Do Send An Email Thank-You And A Paper Note
"An email arrives instantly and keeps you front of mind. And a handwritten card stands out because it's rare. To keep the two from being redundant, include an article in the card about something you discussed during the interview—it shows you listened and are already being helpful."

Negotiate Like a Pro

It's tempting to scream "yes!" the second the phone rings with good news. But wait! "The moment after you land the position and before you accept it is when you have the most bargaining power," says Michele Mavi, director of internal recruiting for Atrium Staffing, who's handled high-profile negotiations for clients around the country. To get the best possible salary:

Don't Accept On The Spot
"Acquaint yourself with the pay for similar jobs by browsing sites like glassdoor.com and asking friends," Mavi says. If HR throws out a great number—the salary you would have asked for, or even more—request an offer letter. "Until it's in writing, it can always be rescinded," she says. Read it, wait a few hours, and then call them back to accept.

Counter Graciously
If the salary number is low, advises Mavi, "make it clear you're thankful and interested in the company but disappointed.
Say, 'I was hoping the salary would be closer to $X. I'm worth it because I can increase your profit margins (or bring in new clients or come up with exciting new ideas). Hopefully, we can agree on a number so I can happily accept.'" If you're nervous, says Mavi, remember this secret: In most nonunion fields the people hiring are probably expecting you to negotiate. "The general rule is that companies will add $5,000 to pad out initial offers," explains Mavi. "They're worrying about starting out on the right foot too!"

Explore Other Options
They won't budge? Don't threaten to walk away unless you really will. "If it's still your dream job and it's going to catapult you forward professionally, just take it," says Mavi. Politely request a six-month review to revisit your salary. "Or ask for another concession, like a flexible work schedule or an extra week of vacation," she suggests. But don't stand on ceremony—if you love the job and can afford to live on the pay, accept.

This story appeared in the April issue of Glamour. Look for it on newsstands March 18, or subscribe now for instant access to the digital edition.